More States Moving to Tighten Sex-Abuse Laws for Clergy ; Bills Call for Clergy to Report Alleged Abuse or Extend Time Period for Victims to File Suits

Article excerpt

The sexual-abuse scandal spreading through the Roman Catholic
Church this spring is prompting moves in legislatures nationwide to
tighten laws designed to ensure that cases of abuse are reported to
authorities and prosecuted.

Lawmakers in at least seven states have introduced bills this
year to extend the period when civil and criminal charges can be
filed against abusers, or to require clergy to report allegations
they hear about.

The moves come as the Catholic Church faces a continuing tide of
lawsuits - some 300 since January - and new allegations sexual abuse
of boys and young men by priests.

At a meeting in Dallas this week, Catholic bishops are expected
to revise their internal policies regarding abuse allegations. But
for now, the lawsuits and media coverage have put pressure on
legislatures to act.

Revised laws could provide new protection for sex-abuse victims
while creating new liabilities for churches and clergy.

Currently, all 50 states have mandatory-reporting laws regarding
sexual abuse of children. But many do not apply to the clergy.
Others, in a middle ground, provide that clergy need not report
information that comes to light in situations such as the Catholic
sacrament of confession.

This year, the tenor of the laws has begun to shift.

In Massachusetts, the epicenter of the scandal, acting Gov. Jane
Swift signed a bill last month adding clergy to the list of
mandatory reporters, which already included teachers, doctors, and
child-care workers. Legislators in Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado
have all recently approved bills requiring clergy to report abuse.
State governors are expected to sign the measures.

Other states are extending their statutes of limitation that
govern whether years-old cases can be brought up in court.
Connecticut has extended its statute of limitations. Similar
legislation is making its way through California's legislature, but
has failed in Minnesota.

As state lawmakers consider such moves, they are being lobbied by
a range of groups. These include Catholics and other religious
denominations, including The First Church of Christ, Scientist,
which publishes this newspaper, and child advocates. …